March 15, 2012

Louisa County senior Keon Winkey was the glue that held the boys' basketball team together this season.

"He's the type of leader every team wants to have," said head coach Brian Wilson. "Because of the things that he brings to the team. The energy, he works hard, and he encourages everybody else to step up to the level he's at."

Wilson took over the Louisa program in the aftermath of the earthquake. Keon made a first impression that would last forever.

"First thing he said to me was how ready he was to come out and work hard and do whatever it takes to win games. I fell in love with him before I even saw him touch a basketball."

The Lions played all of their games on the road this season, winning just five total, one in league play. Still, it was Keon's voice keeping everyone positive.

"I always stayed on them, always kept getting them better," said Keon. "Telling them to work hard each and every day."

"People had a lot to complain about this year," said Wilson. "It wasn't the way they want it, but when you know you have a player like him that is echoing the things that you want...I never had to worry about anything in the locker room because he was always telling them to stay positive."

Keon is on the honor roll at Louisa and has perfect attendance. He says academics has always come first and hopes to major in business law in college. A year-round basketball player, Keon also hopes to compete athletically at the next level.

"I'm always making myself better, a better player," he said. "So I try to play basketball as much as I possibly can."

"He's gonna get better, he's gonna get where they need him to be and he'll be able to contribute immediately by helping other players get better."